Poteau

Poteau is a town in the Choctaw Country of Oklahoma and near Cavanal Hill, also known as "The World's Highest Hill". Poteau was selected as one of "The 100 Best Small Towns in America" in Norman Crapton's book by the same title.

Understand
Originally a part of Indian Territory, Poteau can be traced back to around 1885 and is pronounced "po toe". If you ask a local how to say it, they may tell you it is what you say when you stub your toe. "Oh my po toe." Poteau is a French word that means "post" or "pole". There are two different beliefs on how the city was named. One is it was a trading post and the other is the name came from the river and the story goes that when the French explorers arrived in the area they had to use poles to navigate the shallow waters of the Poteau River. The latter story seems move likely as the town was developed well after the French explorers arrived.

Poteau is "Above the Ordinary" in every way. As the gateway to the Ouachita and Kiamichi Mountains and home to many lakes and rivers, they offer outdoor recreation such as bass fishing, rodeo, fair grounds, hot air balloon festival, softball, baseball, soccer, hometown parades, 4th of July celebrations, Bluegrass festivals, and many other events.

Get in

 * Car - The best way is by car. US Highway 59 and 271 provides access. From Fort Smith, Arkansas take Oklahoma HWY 112. Poteau is 2.5 hours south of Tulsa, Oklahoma and 3 hours east of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
 * Plane - You can fly into Fort Smith regional airport and make the 45 minute drive from there.

Get around
The best way to get around is by car. The layout of Poteau is about 6-miles along US Hwy 59.

Eat
You will find the normal fast food chain restaurants available in Poteau, such as Arby's, Braum's Ice Cream, KFC, McDonald's, Long John Silver's, Mazzio's Pizza, Pizza Hut, Western Sizzlin Steak House and Taco Bell.



Go next

 * Talimena Drive from Talihina, Oklahoma to Mena, Arkansas 54 Mile National Scenic Byway in Oklahoma and Arkansas along the ridge of the Ouachita Mountains and the Ouachita National Forest. This is the highest mountain ranges between the Appalachians and the Rockies. The drive has frequent turnouts so you can enjoy the scenery. Convenient access to the drive near the midpoint can be accessed from Poteau by taking Hwy 59 south.